Alcester Police North SNT. Latest Weekly Report. Sunday 1st December 2019

Hello all.

This is our latest weekly report and prompt to see if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns for the Alcester Police North SNT. Thank you to those that have contacted us this week. If you need to be removed from this email circulation list, please let me know asap.

Incidents of a public interest from the last week:-

STUDLEY

• *Anti-Social Behaviour. Park, Crooks Lane, Studley. Moped seen riding around the park area near to the Skateboard ramps. Scooter stopped and rider spoken to by police. Warned regarding their behaviour. 5.30pm Saturday 30^th November. 0354 30/11/2019
• *Attempt Burglary. Mill Pleck, Studley. Occupants of premises awoken by dogs barking. While checking the outside door later on in the morning, marks and damage were found around the door lock showing that someone had tried to force the door open. Between 3.20am and 5am Saturday 23^rd November. 0226 26/11/2019
• *Burglary Business. Node Hill, Studley. Office broken into and ransacked. A Children in Need charity box has then been stolen. Between 22^nd & 25^th November. 0048 25/11/2019

MAPPLEBOROUGH GREEN

• *Burglary. Birmingham Road, Mappleborough Green. Secure Barn broken into and various items stolen including, six quad bikes, two seater buggy, Carrera pedal cycle and hedge trimmer. Between 26^th & 27^th November. 0124 30/11/2019

BEOLEY

• *Theft. Gorcott Hill, Beoley. Secure cabin next to telephone equipment broken into and eight 12v batteries stolen. Batteries are made by powersafe and are yellow. Found and reported 30^th November. 0099 30/11/2019

WOOTTON WAWEN

• *Vehicle Crime. Stratford Road, Wootton Wawen. Intel from the area suggests that two males wearing balaclavas have walked onto the secure forecourt of garage and have then stolen the number plate plinths from four vehicles. They have left the actual number plates at the scene. 7.40pm Sunday 24^th November. 0228 25/11/2019

TANWORTH

• *Vehicle Crime. Doctors Hill, Tanworth. Two male offenders have tried to steal a transit van but have been stopped by people working on the site. The van was recovered but the two offenders have managed to run off. 12.30pm Monday 25^th November. 0166 25/11/2019

CLAVERDON

• *Burglary. Church Road, Claverdon. Hinges on secure garden shed removed and items stolen from inside. Between 19^th & 26^th November. 0099 26/11/2019

LANGLEY

• *Burglary. Hillside Cottages, Langley. Secure garage broken into a tools stolen. The offenders have also moved a quad bike from the garage but could not move it further. Between 6am and 7.30am Friday 29^th November. 0067 29/11/2019

Crime Prevention during the Christmas Period:

Using Cashpoints –

Before arriving at the ATM

• If possible, have your ATM card in your hand on approach to the machine, rather than delve into the wallet or handbag either at the machine or whilst standing in a queue to use it
• Have in mind the precise transactions you wish to conduct at the ATM to minimise your time at the machine
• Try to use ATMs that are located in busy public places and ones that are well lit after dark. Check to see if anyone is hanging around. Report any suspicious behaviour on 101.

Arriving at the ATM

• Don’t use ATMs that appear visually different from the norm, especially around the card slot.  Have extra things be added onto the surfaces of the ATM? (Tell the bank about your suspicions immediately)
• If in the company of a friend or partner have them stand close to you at the ATM to help block views of the keypad
• Be aware of somebody sitting in a car near to the ATM and be very aware of the people standing behind you and off to the side that are close enough to see you input your PIN.  If you are at all concerned about the people near you, walk away and come back later or use a different machine.  Trust your instincts!

Using the ATM

• Don’t use your mobile phone during a transaction.  Be totally focused on the matter in hand
• Try not to be distracted by incidents around you. Be suspicious of people talking to you and of people trying to assist you with your transactions, no matter how friendly they appear to be
• When inputting your PIN always stand up close to the ATM and cover the keypad with your other hand to stop your PIN being seen by people and cameras
• If you are withdrawing cash, place the cash and your card into your pocket or bag immediately and walk away.  Don’t stand at the ATM counting it

After using the ATM

• As you walk away from the ATM continue to be aware of the people around you.  Try to avoid walking up some poorly observed and quiet backstreet or alley
• If you think you are being followed walk into a shop, a pub, a restaurant or some other busy place
• When getting into your car lock the doors
• Check your bank statements regularly and report any unusual transactions to the bank immediately
• If you think your PIN has been seen or copied change it immediately. You can do this at nearly all ATMs

Safety of Wallets and Purses –

• keep purses and bags closed and secure at all times.
• Carry bags in front of you or diagonally across your chest.
• Return cards to your purse or wallet quickly and zip it up or button it.
• Use a purse that’s difficult to open. One that zips or snaps shut is best, and keep it closed. Attach a set of small bells to your purse or bag.
• Use a money belt if you’re carrying a significant quantity of cash.
• Conceal your wallet in a buttoned or zipped pocket where it doesn’t bulge. A rubber band placed around the wallet will cause friction when being pulled out of a pocket.
• Keep a list, separate from your wallet and phone, of contact numbers of family in case your phone is stolen.
• Keep a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other documents that would be impossible or inconvenient to replace if stolen.
• Don’t hang items on the back of a chair. Especially in Cafes and Restaurants etc.
• Don’t leave anything on the back of a pushchair, shopping trolley or mobility scooter.
• Always place your belongings in sight, especially if putting a bag on the floor. Consider looping the strap of a bag under your chair leg so it cannot be pulled away.

Thefts from Work Vans – Below we offer some simple crime prevention advice on what to do when the vehicle is unattended. Current trends show that offenders are using the ‘peal and steal’ or ‘snip and nick’ techniques. This is where side doors are peeled back to gain entry or metal snippers are used to cut holes in the skin of the van in order to gain access to the opening mechanisms or in fact create a hole big enough to climb in. Unless the vehicle is armoured then removing the most valuable items and using extra crime prevention techniques will be the best deterrent.

• Park your vehicle in a secure area (in a garage or behind locked gates, if possible).
• Use extra security devices to make sure the van cannot be moved. Park near to walls or park another vehicle in front of the van if on a drive.
• Use motion detectors inside and outside the van to alert you that someone is nearby. (We know of one local tradesperson that has a simple baby monitor in their van to monitor noise and motion in real-time)
• Park in a well-lit street in easy view of your own or neighbours’ houses.
• Where possible, remove valuable items from the vehicle overnight and store them in a secure place.
• Do not leave tools or equipment on view inside the vehicle.
• Consider fitting an appropriate alarm system, protecting the cabin and load areas.
• Apply a security marking product to power tools and equipment. Alternatively, etch or emboss identifiable marks to these items. Take photos of the valuable items
• Consider installing secure storage containers or lockers in the van to store tools in.
• Ensure that the van doors are securely lockable and consider having suitable deadlocks installed.
• Make sure to physically check that the van doors and windows are locked if you have used the remote to lock the vehicle, even if the feedback indicates the van as locked.
• When visiting businesses, try to park close to the entrance and preferably in the view of CCTV
• Register serial numbers of your property for free on www.immobilise.com . Please visit the website for more information.
• Consider a battery powered PIR alarm that calls you on the mobile phone when activated.
• Be vigilant when unloading. Watch out for people that are taking an interest.
• Call the police on 101 or 999 as appropriate of you see anyone looking suspicious.

Neighbourhood Watch – We have several NHW schemes around the area. To find out more about the Neighbourhood Watch and how you can set up or join a local scheme, please visit – https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact us on the details below or via the Warwickshire Police website. If you would like to be removed from the Teams email circulation list – please let us know.

Regards.

ALCESTER POLICE NORTH SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

Team email –                                                  Alcesternorth.snt@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

SGT 1284 Angus Eagles                            angus.eagles@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PC 427 Sue Blundell –                                Sue.blundell@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6273 Aadila Hussain –                    Aadila.hussain@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6330 Sanjay Singh –                       sanjay.singh@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6350 Taylor Brooke                         taylor.brooke@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6336 Mark Lucas –                           mark.lucas@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

Alcester Police Office Phone Number – 01789 444816    (not to be used for emergencies or priority calls. Always report incidents on 101)

Twitter –                                              @AlcesterCops

Facebook –                                        Alcester Police

Instagram –                                       southwarwickshiresnts

Website –                                           https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/